Political leadership as a social institution arose long ago. This was due historically, because there was a need to somehow streamline and coordinate the social interests of society in order for its members to live in a civilized manner.
However, the widespread use of this term did not secure for him, however, any strict definition. The concept of "political leader" is used as a synonym for the words "leader", "manager" and so on. But the essence of these definitions is not exactly the same, because not every manager can be a political leader. Obviously, the last phrase means that person who is able to lead the masses and direct the people in the right direction.
The nature of political leadership
Such a person is distinguished by a combination of some basic qualities: strength of character, will, charm, determination and subtle intuition. Note that not the least role in this list is played by hypnotic abilities. No one talks about hypnosis in the usual sense. But the fact that a leader is able to lead the masses and make him believe in his words is an undeniable fact.
Today, when a democratic society is widely developing, political leadership has somewhat changed its orientation. Today, such personalities do not always include figures who occupy official and command posts. As a rule, these are people who are popular and influential participants in political events in the state, as well as those who develop their activities in the regions.
Thus, a political leader is a person who most accurately and fully reflects the interests of the people, protects them, and also possesses the qualities thanks to which he can be attributed to political figures. In general, political leadership and an explanation of its nature began to take shape from the characteristics of its individual representatives and the discussion of specific human qualities. The essence of the occurrence of such a phenomenon in science has several explanations. In particular, several theories have emerged, for example, the trait theory, in which the leader is a set of certain characteristics that help him achieve his goal. Currently, there are three striking examples of leaders who have left a noticeable mark in history, but they were not similar in their human qualities and political ambitions. These are Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher and Helmut Kohl. Political leadership in Russia, however, also has its representatives, on the basis of which it is possible to judge its features. First of all, we are talking about Boris Yeltsin and Vladimir Putin, who are different in their methods of influence and political programs.
Note that there are certain global trends in leadership development. The main ones should be considered:
- National leaders should not ignore global issues. Their domestic policy is an integral part of the global process.
- The increasing role and social influence of informal figures.
- Strengthening the concentration of leaders on solving political and economic problems.
- Reducing the likelihood of hero leaders and their antipodes.
- Political leadership is reducing the boundaries of its power, because the system of separation of powers is improving, and the boundaries of civil society are expanding.
In any state, there is a system of training for personnel who later grow into leaders, has some specifics:
- Liberal Democratic (Western and Eastern).
- Totalitarian.
- Theocratic, which is applicable where the predominant role in government is given to religion.
